Nazareth Officials Debate Privately

Nazareth Council held a closed meeting last night to discuss possible changes in the police department to decrease overtime hours.

However, no one would confirm what those changes may be, although council plans to vote on the changes at Monday's meeting.

Mayor Elmo Frey Sr. said that, aside from the police committee, no council members know what the committee is planning.

And the public will not know until he issues a detailed news release Monday, when council votes whether to make the recommended changes, Frey said.

Councilman and police committee member Larry Stoudt concurred with the mayor.

Lower Nazareth Supervisor Peter Tamburini, a representative on the police committee, said over the phone last night that the township and borough are indeed trying to decrease overtime pay to police, but said the committee agreed that Mayor Frey would announce the changes via a news release.

Council cannot hire part-time officers to cut down on overtime hours according to its contract with the police association, Tamburini said.

The police committee's plans may include rearranging the schedules and shift coverage.

Police overtime in March was reported at $4,321.

During the regular workshop meeting, council discussed hiring a new member to the municipal sewer authority to fill the position of Joseph Karlowitch, who recently announced his resignation in a letter to council.

Karlowitch said last week he had no desire to work for the authority since his son was passed up for a job in the sewer plant.

Council will advertise for the position and consider applications before filling the seat. An authority member earns $900 a year.

Also, council is continuing to butt heads with the fire company over the purchase of a new truck.

Councilman John Samus said he had hoped council would be ready to take initial steps to purchase a new pumper truck, as the fire company demanded and a commissioned report suggested, but the fire chiefs are dragging their feet.

They want a combination pumper and 102-foot aerial platform truck -- at double the cost of a pumper, Samus said.

Council had been reluctant to purchase even a new pumper.

The pumper/platform truck would replace an ailing 31-year-old pumper and a 21-year-old aerial ladder truck for about $450,000.

"Undoubtedly it is a nice truck," said Councilman Stoudt, "But practically and economically it does not fit."

The huge truck would not fit in the garage, would be difficult to maneuver down narrow streets, and probably would not clear power lines across most major thorough fares, council members argued.

Nevertheless, the fire committee allowed the Vigilance Hose Company 30 days to find a "significant" amount of money to contribute to the truck they want.

If they fail, council will proceed in purchasing a pumper truck and consider renovating the aerial ladder truck in a few years.

An analysis of the fire company by the Pennsylvania Economy League recommended that the borough purchase a pumper for about $225,000 this year and refurbish the ladder truck for about $190,000 next year.